Abstract: A label applicator for applying a label to an article which includes a supporting structure and an applicator section mounted on the supporting structure and including a housing adapted to be coupled to a supply of gas under pressure and having a label receiving surface with an opening therein. A label dispenser for dispensing a label onto the label receiving surface where it is retained in at least partial registry with the opening. The applicator section includes a rupturable mask adapted to be in the housing in communication with the supply of gas under pressure and the opening in the label receiving surface, and the mask includes a grid having a plurality of holes extending therethrough and rupturable material blocking at least some of the holes. The rupturable material is rupturable to open selected holes in the grid so that the gas under pressure can flow through the selected holes so that the shape of the gas under pressure acting to blow the label from the label receiving surface can be tailored.

Abstract: The inventive labeling device employs a vacuum belt transport having a motor-driven endless belt, for conveying a label from a proximal end to a distal end of the transport. Initially, a chute is disposed between the label dispenser and the vacuum belt transport, which is capable of receiving a label dispensed by the label dispenser and holding it until the vacuum belt transport returns to a label receiving position and can accept the new label. This combination of a vacuum belt transport and a chute allow the labeler to dispense a new label while the previous label is still being applied to an article, thereby greatly increasing the labeling capacity of the labeler.

Abstract: A label applicator for applying a label to an article comprising a supporting structure, a label carrier adapted to receive and releasably retain a label and a carrier mount. The label carrier is mounted for rotation on the carrier mount. The carrier mount mounts the label carrier on the supporting structure for bodily movement between a label receiving position in which the label carrier can receive and releasably retain a label and a label applying position in which the label carrier can apply the label to the article.

Abstract: A label applicator for applying a label to an article comprising a supporting structure, a label carrier adapted to receive and releasably retain a label and a carrier mount. The label carrier is mounted for rotation on the carrier mount. The carrier mount mounts the label carrier on the supporting structure for bodily movement between a label receiving position in which the label carrier can receive and releasably retain a label and a label applying position in which the label carrier can apply the label to the article.

Abstract: A feedscrew system includes a support structure for rotatably supporting a selected feedscrew assembly adjacent a conveyor in order to control articles moving on the conveyor toward a processing station, mounting components for mounting the selected feedscrew assembly on the support structure, and drive components for driving the selected feedscrew assembly at a desired rotational speed. A plurality of interchangeable feedscrew assemblies is included, including at least a first feedscrew assembly configured to be driven at a first rotational speed and a second feedscrew assembly configured to be driven at a second rotational speed that is different from the first rotational speed. The first feedscrew assembly includes a first feedscrew and a first coupling component connected to the first feedscrew for coupling the first feedscrew assembly to the drive components so that the first feedscrew assembly rotates at the first rotational speed.

Abstract: A label applicator includes a support structure in predetermined relationship with a labeling station at which to apply a label to an article. A label dispenser mounted on the support structure dispenses a label to be applied to the article and a receiver moveably mounted on the support structure transports the label from the dispenser to the labeling station. Receiver mounting components are provided for mounting the receiver on the support structure both to enable generally linear movement of the receiver along a path between a retracted position adjacent the dispenser and an extended position adjacent the labeling station, and to enable pivotal movement of the receiver about a pivot axis between a label-receiving position in which the label receiver can receive a label from the dispenser and a label-applying position in which the label can be transferred from the label receiver to a face of an article at the labeling station.

Abstract: A labeling system includes a conveyor for moving articles to be labeled in a first direction through a labeling station while allowing the article to be rotated, and a label transport for conveying labels in a generally opposite second direction from a label dispensing station to the labeling station. Label dispensing components are provided for dispensing a label onto the label transport whereby the label transport can convey the label to the labeling station where the label contacts the article so that the label is transferred to the article. The conveyor may employ a nest for rotatably supporting the article that includes at least first and second rollers for supporting the article therebetween.

Abstract: A label applicator for labeling articles moving along a path which includes a label retaining device for retaining labels at a label retaining station, a label dispenser for dispensing labels onto the label retaining device, a rotatable wheel for use in orienting articles at the label retaining station, a label transfer device for blowing a leading portion of the label on the label retaining means onto an article at the label retaining station while allowing a trailing portion of the label to remain on the label retaining device so that movement of the article past the label retaining station pulls the trailing portion of the label from the label retaining device, and a label wrap device downstream of the label retaining station for applying the trailing portion of the label to the article.

Abstract: A label applicator for applying labels to articles which are moved along an article path comprising a conveyor having first and second conveyor sections on opposite sides of the article path and a label dispenser for dispensing labels onto the conveyor. The conveyor conveys the labels to a label retaining station at which the label spans the space between the first and second conveyor sections. An article to be labeled is moved along the article path between the first and second conveyor sections so the article contacts a central region of the label as it passes through the label retaining station. This adheres a central region of the label to the article. The end portions of the label are pressed against the article downstream of the label retaining station.

Abstract: An apparatus which grips an article on the opposite sides of the article to hold the article in a predetermined orientation. One or more work operations are performed on the article while it is held in the predetermined orientation. The article is gripped between a movable resilient member and a guide which holds the article against the movable resilient member.

Abstract: A label applicator comprising a supporting structure, a label receiver mounted on the supporting structure for oscillatory movement about a pivot axis between a retracted position and an extended position, and a label dispenser for supplying labels to the label receiver when the label receiver is in the retracted position. The label receiver releasably retains the labels supplied to the label receiver in the retracted position. The label receiver is moved in one direction about the pivot axis to the extended position and in that position, applies the label to an article. The label receiver is then pivoted about the pivot axis in the other direction to return it to the retracted position.

Abstract: A method of applying multiple labels to a label receiving surface of an article comprising conveying articles to be labeled to a label applying station, dispensing first and second labels onto a vacuum belt transport, transporting the first and second labels to the label applying station utilizing the vacuum belt transport and wrapping the first and second labels onto different locations on the label-receiving surface of a first of the articles.

Abstract: A label applicator comprising a supporting structure and a label receiver mounted on the supporting structure for movement between a retracted position and an extended position. A label dispenser supplies a label to the label receiver when the label receiver is in the retracted position. The label is releasably retained on the label receiver. The label receiver is then moved to the extended position where the label is transferred by an air blast from the label receiver to an article.

Abstract: The label applicator disclosed herein is adapted for use with labels which are provided in a plurality of rows extending longitudinally on the backing strip. The label applicator comprises a label dispenser for peeling the labels from the backing strip with the labels moving in a first direction off of the backing strip to provide at least first and second labels at a label dispensing station. A label separator receives the first and second labels and separates them in a direction generally transverse to the first direction to increase the distance between the first and second labels. The separated labels are then transferred to at least one article.

Abstract: A label applicator which grips the article to be labeled on the opposite sides of the article to hold the article in a predetermined orientation. One or more labels are applied to the article while it is held in the predetermined orientation. The article is gripped between a movable resilient member and a guide which holds the article against the movable resilient member.

Abstract: A label applicator including a wrap around label applicator, a transport for transporting labels to the wrap around label applicator, and a label dispenser for sequentially supplying labels to the transport.

Abstract: Elements are supplied to a work station with the elements being arranged in a row. The elements are releasably retained at the work station. The articles to which the elements are to be transferred are moved through the work station with the row of elements at the work station extending in the same direction as the direction of article movement. Each of the elements is transferred to an associated article as the articles are moved through the work station. The elements are sequentially transferred with the most downstream element always being the next element to be transferred.

Abstract: A movable conveyor belt having first and second belt surfaces and an opening extending between the belt surfaces, a mechanism for depositing a label on the first belt surface at a first station, and a pressure source for blowing air under pressure through the opening to transfer the label from the belt at a second station to at least one object.

Abstract: Labels are supplied in groups to a labelling station with the labels of each group being arranged in a row. The labels are releasably retained at the labelling station. The articles to be labelled are moved through the labelling station with the row of labels at the labelling station extending in the same direction as the direction of article movement. Each of the labels is transferred to an associated article as the articles are moved through the labelling station. The labels are sequentially transferred with the most downstream label always being the next label to be transferred.

Abstract: Elements are supplied to a work station with the elements being arranged in a row. The elements are releasably retained at the work station. The articles to which the elements are to be transferred are moved through the work station with the row of elements at the work station extending in the same direction as the direction of article movement. Each of the elements is transferred to an associated article as the articles are moved through the work station. The elements are sequentially transferred with the most downstream element always being the next element to be transferred.